Chapter 198

The time for the decisive battle has finally arrived.

The Han Dynasty’s army, seeking to avenge Guan Yu’s death and capture Luoyang, has grown to an astonishing force of over 100,000 soldiers.

Combining the troops mobilized from Guanzhong and Xiang Province, the total number reaches a staggering 135,000, making it the largest army Liu Bei has ever assembled since raising his forces.

With such a massive number of troops, even the march to the battlefield without losses was a monumental task, let alone facing the Wei army.

Over 100,000 soldiers departing from Guanzhong required an immense supply chain that couldn’t be overlooked.

The officials in Guanzhong were in full wartime mode, handling documents and inspecting supply routes outside Chang’an City, their workload rivaling that of the soldiers on the front lines.

Thanks to years of preparation after securing Guanzhong, there were no major bottlenecks, except for the newly acquired Hongnong area by Pang Tong.

“Thanks to Pang Tong securing half of Hongnong, we can now use the new route via the Luo River, a burden we must bear with gratitude.”

I wonder what kind of monster Xiao He was, managing to secure additional supplies and troops even in worse conditions than now.

Perhaps the real inhuman being during the Chu-Han contention wasn’t Xiang Yu but Xiao He. No wonder Liu Bang ranked him first among his trusted officials.

Anyway, while Ma Liang and Pang Tong are responsible for supplies, I am in charge of the march.

This wasn’t my initial role, but my proposed plan was adopted during the military council discussions.

How to reach Luoyang?

The easiest route is to follow the Luo River, receiving supplies via water transport. However, with 100,000 troops moving along a single path, the column would stretch long, inevitably slowing the march.

Thus, I suggested dividing the army and advancing from multiple directions. There was opposition, citing the risk of being defeated in detail.

“Napoleon and I both used the strategy of defeating in detail.”

There are historical examples, like the Battle of Sarhu, where the Later Jin defeated a combined Ming and Joseon army of 100,000 with less than half the troops using this strategy.

However, Napoleon also divided his army for mobility, even reorganizing his divisions to include cavalry, infantry, and support units like scouts and engineers, enabling independent operations.

This allowed Napoleon to avoid inefficiencies from mass concentration, gaining speed and easier supply.

“Supply. That’s the real issue.”

At this time, supply inevitably relied on local procurement, with supply lines only supplementing shortages.

Liu Bei has avoided requisitioning from local civilians as much as possible, but in this war, he couldn’t afford to be picky.

But how much can a village of 100 people supply for 1,000 soldiers?

Napoleon solved this by dividing his army into smaller units, each passing through different villages to maximize local procurement.

While the advantages are clear, the disadvantages are fatal, but Napoleon was a god of war. He established a rapid communication system, allowing dispersed corps to quickly regroup and prevent defeat in detail.

In short, if managed well, dividing the army isn’t necessarily bad.

“Of course, just copying Napoleon’s division structure isn’t enough. Several prerequisites are needed.”

Superior reconnaissance to locate the enemy.

Thorough knowledge of the terrain for quick regrouping.

Capable commanders for each corps.

And a competent overall commander.

“While there are other detailed conditions, these four are the most basic.”

“The Battle of Sarhu failed because it met none of these. Conversely, Napoleon met all, hence his victory. Currently, the Han Dynasty meets these conditions to some extent.”

Terrain knowledge was completed long ago during my mission to Ye, supplemented by additional intelligence.

Although movement through the Quyang Valley is difficult, we’ve prepared advance and rear units to handle any obstacles.

If the advance unit is blocked, the rear unit can assist, and if the advance breaks through, the rear can pass smoothly.

“The commanders’ abilities speak for themselves.”

Zhang Fei, Wu Yi, Zhao Yun, Wei Yan, Wang Ping, Zhang E, Shang Chong, Guan Ping, and me.

“Even though many generals are tied up in Jing and Bing Provinces, this is an all-star lineup.”

Finally, Liu Bei as the overall commander.

“Though his judgment may be clouded by Guan Yu’s death, with Pang Tong by his side, there shouldn’t be major issues. I’ll also be with Liu Bei in the central army to handle any problems.”

Thus, the army will advance from three directions.

Through the Quyang Valley, along the Luo River, and via Jing Province.

Wang Ping and Zhang E were assigned to lead through the Quyang Valley, suitable for their expertise.

Their units, mostly composed of mountain tribes and martial artists, can navigate the rugged terrain like their backyard.

Veteran generals like my father and Wu Yi will support as the rear unit.

This setup should easily handle the Quyang Valley, less than 100 li (about 42 km). Any ambushes inside can be handled by the advance unit, and if the exit is blocked, the rear unit can join to break through.

The central army, led by me and Liu Bei, will follow the Luo River, combining land and naval forces, making it the largest contingent.

Zhao Yun and Wei Yan will head to Jing Province, primarily to pressure southern regions like Runan and Henan, threatening our advance.

“In the original history, Zhao Yun also led a separate force during Zhuge Liang’s Northern Expeditions to lure the enemy. This time, it’s a similar role.”

“Dividing the army may seem grand, but there are only two main routes. Still, this division speeds up the march.”

Just as they spied on us to prepare for Bing Province’s defense, we also spied on Wei, knowing Sima Yi was replaced by Cao Biao.

A faster march will exploit the gap during the change in Wei’s overall command.

“The rallying point for all forces is…”

I shifted my gaze westward from Hongnong County, the central army’s starting point, along the Luo River.

“Henan County.”

Just 60 li (about 25 km) from Luoyang, at the edge of the city.

If we move quickly, we can reach it in a day. That will be our rallying point and main battlefield.

§

In short, it was all for naught.

Despite grand preparations, reality was humbling.

The strategy of dispersing the army to maximize local procurement turned out to be futile.

“Scorched earth tactics.”

The counties were empty.

From Minzhi County along the Luo River to Yiyang County near Henan, the people and supplies were all gone.

“They must have realized they couldn’t stop us from entering Henan and cleared the area. The situation beyond the Quyang Valley is likely similar.”

Beyond the Quyang Valley lies Xin’an County, probably also employing scorched earth tactics.

I asked Pang Tong with concern, “Are they planning to hold out in Luoyang?”

If we follow the Luo River, we won’t be blocked at Hangu Pass. Without obstacles, our forces would have reached Xin’an County by now, ready to enter Henan County.

Given that Hangu Pass alone couldn’t stop us, they might have chosen to defend Luoyang at all costs.

“That’s unlikely. Abandoning Henan County would make defending southern counties like Xinsheng, Yunzhi, and Luhun much harder. They’ve already shown allegiance to the Supreme General once.”

Pang Tong firmly denied but left room for another possibility.

“However, since we’re on an expedition and they’re within their own territory, they might adopt a defensive stance, relying on fortress defenses until our strength wanes.”

Pang Tong and I strongly felt this was likely the correct answer.

They didn’t empty the counties we passed through for no reason. Their strategy was to cut off local procurement, forcing us to rely solely on our supplies, depleting them as quickly as possible.

Even if we tried to bypass Luoyang, Wei would surely block our path with proper generals and troops at every pass.

“It feels like we’re trapped in a jar.”

Jiang Yu, listening to our conversation, spoke gravely.

One year.

While we were preparing, Wei was also thoroughly preparing.

Just as I was mentally preparing for the siege of Luoyang, Ma Su curiously asked, “Why not cross the mountains? Like the Supreme General did before, crossing mountains would render their passes useless.”

If it were that easy, they wouldn’t have built the passes. Guan Yu’s mountain crossing to escape encirclement was a result of perfect conditions.

And leading twice the number of troops Guan Yu had over mountains? Even with Ma Su and Deng Ai, it would be tough.

As I was about to scold him, Pang Tong praised him instead.

“Crossing mountains. No wonder Kongming values you. Not bad.”

“Grand Commandant, what do you mean? Are you seriously suggesting crossing mountains?”

“Hahaha, that’s impossible. But crossing mountains isn’t wrong. Don’t you see? It’s similar to what you did.”

Crossing mountains is impossible, but climbing them isn’t wrong? Similar to what I did?

Feeling frustrated by the bizarre statement, Liu Bei, who had been silently observing, finally spoke.

“Everyone, prepare to listen. Stop with the cryptic talk and share the strategy in your mind.”

Liu Bei’s command couldn’t be ignored. Pang Tong, with a serious expression, began explaining.

“If they abandon Henan County and refuse battle, we must create a reason for them to fight. Attack a place they must defend, and they’ll have no choice but to engage.”

Ah, so that’s what he meant by what I did.

But isn’t the place they must defend Luoyang? The explanation for climbing mountains was still missing.

But looking around, it seemed I was the only one who hadn’t caught on. Everyone else seemed to understand, exclaiming “Ah!” or nodding.

Trying to hide my confusion, Liu Bei had already noticed.

He smiled at me and said, “The Grand Commandant is suggesting we climb Mount Weiyu.”

“Your Majesty is correct.”

Mount Weiyu? What is that, and why are they so confident we’ll abandon Luoyang’s defense to engage in battle? I still didn’t understand. Only after further explanation did I grasp Pang Tong’s plan.

“Mount Weiyu has the Circular Mound Altar.”

The Circular Mound Altar, also known as the Round Altar, might be familiar to modern Koreans.

Because the Round Altar is a ceremonial site exclusively for the emperor.